Introducing Wendy Okeke and her collection of poems: Grief's First Kiss Is An Avalanche.This is the first time I've sat down with an author/poet to go through their works. I've found this episode that much more profound whilst editing and reflecting on the passing of my own father, a few months after filming with Wendy.Find out more about her:https://www.wendyokeke.com/

I receive many requests to read from some interesting books in the Bible. Today I've got some help from the wonderful Idy Archibong to explore them.
Check her out here:

https://www.youtube.com/@IdyArchibong

https://www.instagram.com/idy.archibong

Elizabeth BullardJoan JohnNabis ink Sharil MillerStella EnyinaAminat SanniTomi AdeyemiAlicia TanDaniel OrekoyaSupport Me On Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/c/FirstRoomWebsite https://www.michaeleok.com/Gear-----------------------------Camera Sony FX30Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 GMicro HDMI to HDMI Cable4K HDMI to USB Capture CardLightingAputure Amaran 150CAputure Amaran LensLens IrisC StandSound Shure SM57Audio-Technica A2020Audio-Technica M20XBT Wireless Headphone BlackAudio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Monitor HeadphonesFocusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen USB Audio InterfaceDigital Audio Workstation: Ableton LiteMy Non-Native Plugins:Bertom Denoiser:https://www.bertomaudio.com/denoiser-classic.htmlKaussa Efekto Silencer Noise Gate:https://www.kuassa.com/products/efektor-silencer/TAL Reverb:https://tal-software.com/products/tal-reverb-4

You know I enjoy my song lyrics here and there. This time I have a guest with me...Nigerian Talent Dejo Osikoya joins me to break down a few songs he's enjoyed. I also give him a piece of some of my favourite lyrics. Oh! For the love of words. Listen as we also stray and talk through some philosophical matters, our approach to creativity and self-expression.

Another round of live requests, though this time I test out a new infrastructure.Sign up on my website as a writer to know when the new submission slots are availablehttps://michaeleok.com/

Submissions fromPatreon:

T. Reichert

Other Writers:

Elizabeth bullard

Aminat Sanni

Ajla Mehić

Benita Shammah

Etieno Essien

Nkwachukwu

Philip Udeme

Jedidiah Orakpo

Rua Professor Henrique Costa

Ositelu Mia

Sharil Miller

Tomi Adeyemi

Tierra Cox

Tahreeq Meyer

Rebecca Ogunnaike

It was an honour to sit down with such a talented...skilled..multi-award wining poet... inspirational...activist...chai! What more can I say! But what a twist...she is...shy??? Sit with us as we work through her poetry and story on this episode of Whispers And Growls. Shall I make it my life's mission to get her to growl one day?😈

Her poems at:03:40 - To My Village People21:59 - A Hopeless Romantic

I'm out of practice time to get back into the lab...

What does a love poem sound like in Yoruba. I sat down with one of the poets who performed at Serenade Lagos to go through his poetry. Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun (Àrẹ̀mọ Gemini) is a multifaceted artist, poet, storyteller, TEDx speaker and art specialist, with a core focus in Yorùbá arts and culture. Recipient of Horn of Afroclassical Merit Award for excellence in the propagation of arts and culture (2018), his art is guided by so many drives, one of which is to sell out the O2 Arena, London for Yorùbá oral arts. His art is heavily influenced by grassroot realities, female emancipation, marginalised tales and historical preservation.

Find Toniverse: https://www.toniverse.com/

19:45 Tales of Nyxarra - Lindsey Hart https://www.instagram.com/authorlindseyhart/

0:41 Kristel Willard

6:43 Rosie Inspire

8:08 Rebecca Berlingieri 

8:55 Luwanipixie

10:59 Tommie

13:36 Jessica Isom

14:07 Shantel John

15:54 Ruth Bellol

18:04 Nichelle Dobbs

18:55 Cinnamon

19:14 Rebecca Berlingieri 

20:12 Precious Clark

21:19 The Aan

22:30 Paige Lawrence

23:50 Bart Reevers

25:29 Tomi Adeyemi 

27:20 Sopulu Cletus

29:17 Popcorn Only

31:08 Ima-Abasi David

33:00 Favour Chibuokem 

34:03 Iris Herben

34:55 Porsche SUV

37:00 Collector Maximum 

39:18 Tommie

43:47 Tracy Forsen